Question
My son is eight months old. He started having a fever yesterday afternoon with a temperature of 37.8 degrees Celsius. Physical cooling methods were ineffective. Although he has taken the cold medicine ‘Huo Tong’ three times, his temperature was still 37.8 degrees Celsius at noon today. The child is in good spirits and has normal appetite, and there are no symptoms of cold such as sneezing or running nose. Parents touched the child’s forehead and limbs and did not feel any fever, but the armpit temperature showed a high fever. Is this a cold? What could be the possible causes? Since the child is young and the weather is cold, parents do not want to take the risk of bringing the child to the hospital if they can handle it at home. Please provide emergency assistance, thank you! Additional question for the first question: If the child does not have symptoms such as coughing, diarrhea, or vomiting, and can eat and be active, should medication be avoided first? Can the child drink more water? If the fever persists for two days, should immediate medical attention be sought? Should the room temperature be lowered?
Answer
Based on the description provided by the inquirer, the child may be experiencing an unexplained fever. In the absence of other cold symptoms, if the child can eat normally and maintain good spirits, medication can initially be avoided. Drinking more water is a good practice as it helps the body to expel toxins and maintain body temperature balance. However, if the fever persists for more than two days, it is advisable to take the child to a hospital for examination. Additionally, maintaining a moderate indoor temperature, not too high, can help with the child’s comfort. If parents are worried about the child’s condition, they should contact medical professionals early for more detailed advice and diagnosis.